Upgrading Cameras

Discuss everything including the optimal equipment, seasons, techniques and tips for capturing excellent photos.

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Matt
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Camera Model: Olympus OMD EM-1 m1, m2; Panasonic GM5, Osmo Pocket
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DPreview posted their G1 review; the most thorough review to date.
They give it a: "Highly Recommended"
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcg1/
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Bill_K
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Matt wrote:DPreview posted their G1 review; the most thorough review to date.
They give it a: "Highly Recommended"
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcg1/
Dammit....Oh well, my canon will be here tomorrow or Wednesday so the Panasonic will have to wait until next years bonus.
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Matt
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I'm sure the G2 will have HD video and a few more lenses to choose from.
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skiboarder72
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Wait... doesn't every DSLR on Dpreview get a "Highly recommended" ? :lol:
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Matt
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pretty much- yeah :lol:

I guess its more important to list what they liked:
*JPEG output shows impressive detail at base ISO, superb resolution (especially in raw files)
*Natural and appealing tones out of the box
*Good balance between noise reduction and detail retention - usable images up to ISO 1600
*Very snappy performance throughout
*Very quick write speeds
*Good ergonomics all around, excellent build quality, nice handling
*Large number of external controls including a very useful 'push-and-turn' dial
*Very useful status panel and quick menu allow direct access to many important settings
*Intuitively structured menu system
*Highly customizable - up to three custom modes and many user-definable options
*Very compact dimensions of body and lenses for an interchangeable lens camera system
*Tilting high-quality screen, highest resolution in this class of camera
*Best electronic viewfinder we've seen so far (and far bigger than any comparable conventional DSLR)
*Very flexible AF-system with movable AF-area and very effective AF tracking
*Fastest contrast detect AF to date (with kit lenses), on par with entry-level DSLRs
*Very usable manual focus mode
*Movable live-histogram
*Selectable aspect-ratio
*Very effective image stabilization on kit lenses
*Fully fledged RAW converter (Silkypix) included in the package
*HDMI-video output
*Shutter-speed simulation
And what they didn't:
*Currently fairly limited choice of lenses and accessories
*Optional adapter required for standard Four Thirds lenses, most won't allow autofocus (those that will focus do so noticeably slower than the kit lenses)
*Steep tone curve (JPEG) and approximately 0.5 EV less dynamic range in the highlights than the competition can lead to clipping
*No video recording
*Fairly low powered flash (but good flash metering)
*Electronic viewfinder difficult to use in low light (very noisy image and greatly reduced refresh rate)
*Relatively loud shutter noise (for a non-DSLR)
*Exposed sensor requires care when changing lenses
*Fairly unreliable auto white balance (in artificial light) and no fluorescent white balance preset
*Battery life worse than most entry-level DSLRs (330 CIPA standard)
*Quoted maximum continuous speed (3 fps) only possible to achieve in JPEG mode, with image review turned off, and the lens aperture set wide open
*Image parameters don't offer a wide enough variation range
It makes me very excited about the G2, which I may consider buying if they can get the size down a bit more (and if Olympus can't come out with a better m4/3 camera by then). This platform could be perfect for hiking- essentially reducing pack load by half compared to a full frame camera/lenses. That's a life-saver when hiking for more than a few hours.
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Matt
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I just bought my new camera- will get it next Friday (there's a waiting list :cry: ).
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Bill_K
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Matt wrote:I just bought my new camera- will get it next Friday (there's a waiting list :cry: ).
What are you getting?
To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and common sense will only interfere. But once these barriers are broken, it will enter the realms of childhood visions and dreams.
*Giorgio de Chirico*
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walking_trails/
http://www.redbubble.com/people/billk
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Matt
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Posts: 13374
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:01 pm
Camera Model: Olympus OMD EM-1 m1, m2; Panasonic GM5, Osmo Pocket
Location: Rochester, NY
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